This is so good. I think I know this from another place. That little book I sent you was as hard to write as it is to read. I fired that censor that lived between my ears.
I'm glad you shared this Alix! With books being banned, and censorship everywhere, it is so important to stay true to ourselves and our words. Your poem is gorgeous, and sensuous about simple things in life. Thank you.
Your post really hit home for me, Alix, because I had been holding back. But last week, I began to release, here on Substack, a novel that I wrote in 2019 but didn't publish. Make No Mistake is about everything that is happening in the U.S. now starting with the elimination of women's rights. And I finally had the courage to put it out there because I couldn't be silent any longer.
Thank you for being bold and vocal, and for giving your poem (and book) another chance to be read.
If we don't put our words out there, (algorithms and censorship be damned), readers do not know what is being missed.
I've been thinking about how it must be in the US right now... how I might feel - scared to express myself openly for fear of repercussion. So hard to believe this is happening. Even from New Zealand I feel somewhat constrained, writing online. Elon Musk's satellites stream overhead, glowing like innocent stars in the night sky, but I feel their beady eyes staring down at me in my garden on a little island so far away. There are almost more man-made glimmers in the sky above than stars and planets, what nefarious intentions do they have, what powers to destroy? I think of my dad as a young teenager in the Blitz in WW2. Gaza, Ukraine, Iran, Taiwan. Is naming these countries going to bring incendaries raining down on my head and those of my loved ones? I think one of my strategies is to write in code - to say what I want to say in an innocuous way. The power of poetry, the beauty of poetry. Thank you Alix for writing about this... and for your beautiful and evocative poem, Bread Sex Trees, love it 🙏 ❤️ 🌳
Second, just ordered your book and look forward to reading it.
Thirdly, (and perhaps most importantly), you've really nailed the trepidations ushered into this country's current mindset (and globally, as well, methinks).
I have hesitated to post certain thoughts and viewpoints on my blog, either just via ramblings in response to what's going on or in any one of my half dozen daily poems. And yes, my recalcitrance is borne out of concern for my own personal safety and future freedom. How insane is that?
From time to time, I monitor my subscriber levels, especially after daring to actually hit the Send key to see if I've lost anyone. For the most part, I've got a good bunch of apparently very like-minded followers, so I'm not too concerned about losing anyone. My blog is a personal communication device, and it's certainly not monetized so if someone vehemently disagrees with me and wants to leave, that's fine.
I’m an adoptee. Historically adoptee stories have been owned and told by non-adoptees. I share my story now but often find myself having the debate between being real and not getting banned/ruining my career.
Rena, I attended a Zoom workshop a few years back that was facilitated by one of the editors at Chestnut Review. She's an adoptee as well and published her first (??) collection a year or so ago. You might find it of interest. It's called 'this tenuous atmosphere' and it's by Maria S. Picone.
I hope your book gets the second chance it deserves. This country is afraid of artists and that frightens me, but it also tells me I know what I want to do: be honest with my writing.
Your poem is very erotic, in an out of the box kind of way. And more, thank you for sharing it! I've left any kind of social media a long time ago but I do believe that if I, we!, have something to say there's always going to be a way. I think of Fahrenheit 451, which is such a surprisingly up to date reading! Also, my mind rambled that Sappho's poetry would certainly not fit into Instagram. :)
Thank you so much for the prompt. I'll share the outcome in my notes. I'm afraid... but if not now, then when?
Very happy you enjoy it!! ☺️ Sometimes reading my poems afterwards feels like staring too much at yourself in the mirror and starting to see all the raw flaws. Did it happen to you? 🙂
Great article. I always notice myself hesitating before I post something about Gaza on Instagram or Facebook, specifically because my content distribution becomes limited after I speak about it. I’m so glad I came to Substack.
"It is nearly impossible to be an artist in a time when you must first consider what the algorithm will think of your work." THIS! So much THIS! I was just discussing this with someone yesterday. My creative brain is exhausted from considering such nonsense. P.S. I love your poem!
This is so good. I think I know this from another place. That little book I sent you was as hard to write as it is to read. I fired that censor that lived between my ears.
I'm glad you shared this Alix! With books being banned, and censorship everywhere, it is so important to stay true to ourselves and our words. Your poem is gorgeous, and sensuous about simple things in life. Thank you.
Your post really hit home for me, Alix, because I had been holding back. But last week, I began to release, here on Substack, a novel that I wrote in 2019 but didn't publish. Make No Mistake is about everything that is happening in the U.S. now starting with the elimination of women's rights. And I finally had the courage to put it out there because I couldn't be silent any longer.
Thank you for being bold and vocal, and for giving your poem (and book) another chance to be read.
If we don't put our words out there, (algorithms and censorship be damned), readers do not know what is being missed.
Thanks Julie! I'm so glad you're putting your work out, too. We need our words right now <3
I've been thinking about how it must be in the US right now... how I might feel - scared to express myself openly for fear of repercussion. So hard to believe this is happening. Even from New Zealand I feel somewhat constrained, writing online. Elon Musk's satellites stream overhead, glowing like innocent stars in the night sky, but I feel their beady eyes staring down at me in my garden on a little island so far away. There are almost more man-made glimmers in the sky above than stars and planets, what nefarious intentions do they have, what powers to destroy? I think of my dad as a young teenager in the Blitz in WW2. Gaza, Ukraine, Iran, Taiwan. Is naming these countries going to bring incendaries raining down on my head and those of my loved ones? I think one of my strategies is to write in code - to say what I want to say in an innocuous way. The power of poetry, the beauty of poetry. Thank you Alix for writing about this... and for your beautiful and evocative poem, Bread Sex Trees, love it 🙏 ❤️ 🌳
Terrific article.
First off, love the poem.
Second, just ordered your book and look forward to reading it.
Thirdly, (and perhaps most importantly), you've really nailed the trepidations ushered into this country's current mindset (and globally, as well, methinks).
I have hesitated to post certain thoughts and viewpoints on my blog, either just via ramblings in response to what's going on or in any one of my half dozen daily poems. And yes, my recalcitrance is borne out of concern for my own personal safety and future freedom. How insane is that?
From time to time, I monitor my subscriber levels, especially after daring to actually hit the Send key to see if I've lost anyone. For the most part, I've got a good bunch of apparently very like-minded followers, so I'm not too concerned about losing anyone. My blog is a personal communication device, and it's certainly not monetized so if someone vehemently disagrees with me and wants to leave, that's fine.
Crazy times, I'm afraid. C-R-A-Z-Y!!!!
I’m an adoptee. Historically adoptee stories have been owned and told by non-adoptees. I share my story now but often find myself having the debate between being real and not getting banned/ruining my career.
I’m so glad you’re opting to share your authentic experience, but oof, why must it be so trying? ❤️❤️
Truth. Artists don’t really need more things distracting them from creating.
Thank you. This is bringing up a lot for me. 💙❤️
❤️❤️❤️
Rena, I attended a Zoom workshop a few years back that was facilitated by one of the editors at Chestnut Review. She's an adoptee as well and published her first (??) collection a year or so ago. You might find it of interest. It's called 'this tenuous atmosphere' and it's by Maria S. Picone.
Thanks! I’ll have to check it out.
Alix, I just read Morning Crows. 🐦⬛
So good!!
I’m going to go buy that book! It’s a really good title.
Thank you!!
I hope your book gets the second chance it deserves. This country is afraid of artists and that frightens me, but it also tells me I know what I want to do: be honest with my writing.
Thank you, friend ❤️❤️ I think we all need to just carry on as if no one is filtering us, even when that’s hard to do
Such a great piece, Alix. I'm having a go at the prompt!
Thank you!! And fantastic!
I added Bread, Sex, Trees to my list to read as soon as I can get my hands on it. 🧡
thank you so much!!! <3
Your poem is very erotic, in an out of the box kind of way. And more, thank you for sharing it! I've left any kind of social media a long time ago but I do believe that if I, we!, have something to say there's always going to be a way. I think of Fahrenheit 451, which is such a surprisingly up to date reading! Also, my mind rambled that Sappho's poetry would certainly not fit into Instagram. :)
Thank you so much for the prompt. I'll share the outcome in my notes. I'm afraid... but if not now, then when?
Thank you, Simona! I’m so glad you did the prompt - your poem is beautiful
Very happy you enjoy it!! ☺️ Sometimes reading my poems afterwards feels like staring too much at yourself in the mirror and starting to see all the raw flaws. Did it happen to you? 🙂
Oh yes, still does!
Your title poem is just Gorgeous! Thank you for writing it, and sharing it with us here.
Thank you so much!
This is such an important issue. Thank you for posing it so thoughtfully. Censorship quickly becomes self censorship unless deliberately resisted
Great article. I always notice myself hesitating before I post something about Gaza on Instagram or Facebook, specifically because my content distribution becomes limited after I speak about it. I’m so glad I came to Substack.
Oh yes, it’s SO true!!
"It is nearly impossible to be an artist in a time when you must first consider what the algorithm will think of your work." THIS! So much THIS! I was just discussing this with someone yesterday. My creative brain is exhausted from considering such nonsense. P.S. I love your poem!